Folding bed



June 19, 1934. w. A. MoELLER 1,963,372

FOLDING BED Filed Dec. 19, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 19, 1934. w AMOELLER 1,963,372

FOLDING BED Filed DeC. 19, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1777.119 /Q//ofwyPatented June 19, 1934 STATES PATENT OFFICE y 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding bed and relates more particularly toa davenport type of folding bed that may be used as a sofa or davenportwhen in the folded position and that may be used as a bed when extended.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improveddavenport type of folding bed that occupies a minimum amount of spaceand has the appearance of a typical davenport when in the normal foldedcondition and that forms a particularly effective and comfortable bedwhen in the extended position.

An important object of the invention is to pro- Vvide a sofa ordavenport type of folding bed in which the bed frames may be of anystandard length and which has an extensible support or head-rest at thehead of the bed frames for carrying pillows or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding bed constructionof the character mentioned` in which the sleeping persons head lies inan entirely open area on the head-rest and is not back of the upwardlyprojectingV back structure ofthe davenport.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding bed constructionof the character mentioned in which an arm or end of the davenportproper is foldable to a down or substantially horizantal position whenthe bed frames are extended to provide a large, convenient bed and toprovide for the use of the extensible head-rest or pillow supportmentioned above.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Yfolding bed of thecharacter mentioned that is particularly simple and easy to operatebetween the folded or normal position and the extensible position, wherethe davenport arm is down and the pillow support is extended at the headend of the bed frames.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bed structure of thecharacter mentioned in which the folding bed mechanism is entirelyconcealed when the parts are in the normal folded positions, so that thestructure cannot be distinguished from a typical or usual davenport.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding bedconstruction ofthe character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive ofmanufacture and that may be embodied in sofas or davenports of variousclasses and styles.

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and more fullyunderstood from the following detailed description oftypical preferredforms and applicationsof the-invention,

throughout which description reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sofa or davenport embodying thefeatures of the present iny vention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of 60'one end portion of the structure with the cushions removed andillustrating the end` in the down or collapsed position. Fig. 3 is anenlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken sub'- stantially asindicated by line 3-3 of Fig. 2. 65 Fig. 4 is a top or plan View showingthe bed frames and the end in the extended positions. Fig. 5v is a Viewysimilar to Fig. 4 illustrating the head-rest or support in the extendedposition. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of an end portion of the structurebeing a view taken as indicated by line `66 on Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is anenlarged detailed view of the mechanism for operating theshiftable end.Fig. Sis an enlarged detailed sectional View taken substantially asindicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 4. 75 Fig. 9 is an enlarged elevation ofone of the sup-- portV means being a View taken as indicated by line9'-9 on Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is a'side'elevatio-n taken as indicated by line10-10 on Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectionalView taken as indicated by line 11-11 on Fig. 5. The'folding bedconstruction provided, by the present invention is adapted to beembodied in davenport or sofa constructions of various styles and forms.Throughout thefollowing detailed disclosure, the invention will bedescribed," as. embodied in a more or less typical type of davenport, itbeing understood that the invention is not to be taken as limitedorrestrictedto the specific form or application about to be described,vbut that it is to be taken as including "any fea-V tures ormodifications that may fallwwithin the scope of the claims.

The sofa or davenport illustrated in the drawings includes generally, aframe comprising a base or seat portion 10, a back 11, vand ends 12 and13,V The base 10 is an elongated, rectangular structure-'for carryingthe springs and cushions and includes a front runner or member 14 and arear member 15. The back 11, the ends 12 and 13A and the frame member14., may be suitably upholstered Ain the usual manner. The base 10 isprovided with spaced feet 16A and removable cushions 17 are arranged inthe device when its parts are'iri' the normal or folded positions. Thedav.- enport includes Various` other parts and features, common tostructures of this general character. The folding bed constructionprovided by the present invention includes generally, two bed frames 18and 19,' means '20 Amounting the bed" i similar generally to the frame18, that is, it is VVouter bed trarne 18 to the out position, the innerY opposite ends of the frames 18 and 19.

frames 18 and 19 on the base 10 so that they are operable betweenpositions one above the other in the base 1G and positions in the samehorizontal plane where the frame 18 is at the front of the base, means21 whereby the end 13 is operable between the normal vertical positionand a down or extended position, and a head-rest or pillow support 22operable between a folded position between the two folded bed frames 18and 19 and an extended position at the ends of the bed frames.

The bed frame 18 is the outer bed frame and forms the seat frame of thestructure when the parts are in the folded or collapsed positions. Thebed frame 18 is a rectangular structure and may be formedof angle ironor the like. A suitable spring structure 22 is carried by the, frame 18.The bed frame 18 is supported above the base 10 when the parts are inthe folded positions and its top and front may be covered withupholstery 23. One or more legs 24 project downwardly from the bed frame18 to engage the member 14 and support the bed frame on the base when inthe in or normal position.

The bed frame 19 which is the inner frame is formed of angle iron or thelike, and carries the usual spring structure 25. The inner bed frame 19is disposed below the frame 18 when the parts are in their collapsedpositions, and is operable vertically upon the outer frame 18 beingshifted between vthe folded and extended positions.

` The means or mechanism for mounting the bed frames 18 and 19 on thebase 18 may be varied considerably without departing from the broaderprinciples of theY invention. 1n the drawings I have illustrated anextensible mounting means 20 similar generally to the correspondingstructure described and claimed in my co-pending application entitledFolding bed Serial No. 357,594, filed April 23, 1929. The means 20 issuch that the outer bed frame 18 is operable upwardly from the normalposition, then horizontally forward, andvthen downwardly to a positionat the forward end of the base 19. During shifting of the frame `19moves upwardly to a position in the same horizontal plane to which theouter bed frame 18 is operated.

The means 20 includes like mechanism at the I will proceed with adetailed description of the mechanism 20 at one end of the bedstructure, it being understood that such description applies to themounting means 20 at both ends of the bed The means 20 includes ahorizontal mounting member 26 stationarily attached to the base 10adjacent the end 13. Two like links 27 are provided to connect the outerframe 18 with the mounting member 26. The links 27 have their upper endspivotally connected to an end of the outer frame 18 and have their lowerends pivotally attached to the mounting member 26. The links27 arerelated and proportioned so that the bed frame 18 is operable upwardly,then outwardly and then downwardly from the position illustrated in Fig.3 of the drawings to the position illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of thedrawings. Means is provided for supporting the outer bed frame 18 whenin the extended or out position. A leg 28 has its upper end pivoted tothe end of the frame 18 at a point adjacent its forward end. Anoperating rod 29 operatively connects the leg 28 with one of the links27 so that the leg 28 is automatically shifted from a position at theend of the frame 18 to a vertical position projecting downwardly fromthe bed frame when the bed frame is operated to the out position. Therod 29 is pivotally attached to an eX- tension 272L on one of the links27 and its outer end is pivot-ally connected with the leg 28.

An arm 30 is rigidly attached to each link 27 and is slidably andpivotally connected with the inner bed frame 19. The arms` 30 carryingthe inner bed frame 19 for vertical movement during shifting of theouter bed frame 18 between the in and out position. Pins 31 on lowerends of the arms 38 cooperate with slots 32 in the inner bed frame 19 topivotally and slidably connect the arms with the inner bed frame. Acontrol link 33 is pivotally connected with the inner bed frame 19 andone of the links 27 to control the movement of the inner bed frame 19and to maintain the arms 30 in parallelism at all times. A springcounter balancing means 34 is provided to facilitate the easy operationof the. bed frames 18 and 19.

The means 21 provides for the shifting of the end 13 from the normalvertical position to a down position such as is illustrated in Figs. 2,5 and 6 of the drawings. The means 21 includes a hinge or pivotalconnection between the end 13 and the base 19. In the particular caseillustrated in the drawings, hinges 35 connect the lower end of the armor end part 13 with the base 10. Means is provided for manuallyoperating the end 13 between the normal up position and the down orextended position. An operating rod 36 extends partially across the back11 at a point below the upholstery. A bracket 37 projects from the innerside of the end part 13, and a link 38 operatively connects the rod 36with the bracket 37. The link 38 is pivotally connected with the bracket37 and the rod 36. YThe axisV of the pivotal connection between the link38 and therod 36 is vertical so that the rod 36 may have limitedoscillatory movement in a horizontal plane. In the preferred form of theinvention, means is provided for limiting the downward movement of theend part 13 so that the part 13 is held in a position above and free ofthe oor when extended. A vertical stop 39 is provided on the base orback 11 at a point adjacent the end of the operating rod 36. rEhe link38 is bent or shaped to have a vertical shoulder 40 adapted to cooperatewith the stop 39 to limit the downward movement of the arm part or end13.

Toggle or lever means is provided for operating the rod 36. A lever 41is pivoted to a stationary frame member 42 on the back 11. A pivot pin43 connects the rod 36 with the lever 41 at a point intermediate theends of the lever. A suitable tape or pull 44 may be provided on theouter end o1" the lever 41. 41, and the various other parts oi the means21 are located so as to be normally covered and concealed by theremovable cushions 17 when the parts are in the normal or unactuatedpositions.

When the end 13 is in the normal vertical 'posi- A tion, the lever 41projects from its pivot point toward the stationary end 12. To lower theend 13 the lever 41 is pulled forwardly so that it throws over center tothe position illustrated in Fig. 7

of the drawings. It will be apparent how the end The rod 36, the levercannot be accidentally thrown or shifted to the 15o down position as thelever 41 must be thrown over center to operate the end 13.

The pillow support or head-rest 22 is provided to project from or extendfrom the ends of the bed frames 18 and 19 when the bed frames are intheir extended positions and the end 13 is in the down position. Thehead-rest 22 is operable between the folded position in the base 10 andan extended position at the head ends of the bed frames 18 and 19. Inaccordance with the invention the support or head-rest 22 includes arectangular frame 50 and a body of fabric 51 carried by the frame 50.The frame 50 may be a simple structure formed of angle iron or the like,and the fabric 57 is stretched or drawn across the frame 50. The marginor edge portions of the fabric 51 are yieldingly or flexibly attached tothe frame 50. A plurality of spaced helical or spiral springs 52 extendbetween the frame 50 and the edge portions of the fabric 51 toyieldingly attach the fabric to the frame.

When the bed frames 18 and 19 are in their in or folded positions, thehead rest 22 is disposed between them with its greatest lengthlongitudinally of the bed structure. The head rest 22 is carried by theinner bed frame 19 and is operable to the extended or out position afterthe bed frames 18 and 19 have been shifted to their out positions. Anarm 53 projects laterally :from one corner of the frame 50 and isswivelly connected with the inner bed frame 19. A bracket 54 projectsupwardly from the inner bed frame 19 and an angle member 55 is mountedon the upper end of the bracket to pivot about a vertical axis. Ahorizontal pivot pin 56 connects the outer end of the arm 53 with theanglernember 55. With the swivel mounting just described, the head rest22 may be readily operated between the positions illustrated in Figs. 4and 5 of the drawings. The invention provides an improved means forholding or supporting the head rest 22 in the extended position. A restor stop 57 projects upwardly from the inner bed frame 19 at a pointadjacent the bracket 55. The frame 50 of the head-rest is adapted toengage the upper end of the stop 57 when the head-rest is in the out orextended position. The upper end of the rest or stop 57 is inclined tohave point or line contact with the frame 50.

The outer end of the frame 50 is supported on the outer bed frame 18when the parts are in the out positions illustrated in Fig. 5. An arm 58projects laterally vfrom an outer corner of the frame 50 and is adaptedto cooperate with a disappearing or collapsible support 59 on the bedframe 13. The support 59 normally lies adjacent the end of the bed frame18 when the parts are in their folded position as illustrated in Fig. 3and is operable to a vertical position where it projects upwardly fromthe frame 18 when the parts are in their out positions. The lower end ofthe support 59 is pivotally connected with the bed frame 18 by the pivotpin 60 which connects the leg 28 to the bed frame. A link 61 :ispvotally connected to the member 29 and the support 59. The link 61operates the support 59 to the vertical position during shifting of theouter bed frame 18 to the out position. An inwardly projecting head 62is provided on the upper end of the support 59. A slot 63 is provided inthe upper end part of the support 59 and extends into the head 52. Whenthe head rest 22 is swung to the out position, the arm 58 is moved pastthe rest 59. After the head rest 22 has been swung to an extreme outposition it is slightly tilted and swung back so that the arm 58 ispassed through the slot 63. The cooperation of the arm 58 with the slot63 supports the outer end of the head rest 22 on the bed frame 19 andholds the head rest 22 against'undesirable looseness and movement. Thesupports 57 and 59 carry the opposite ends of the head rest 22 so thatthe head rest is effectively supported on the bed frames and is properlysteadied. The supports 57 and V 59 are proportioned and related so thatthey hold the head rests 22 in a .tilted position where it isinclineddownwardly and inwardly toward the bed frames 18 and 19.

It is believed that the utility and practicability of the bedconstruction provided by the present invention will be readily apparentfrom the foregoing detailed description.

When the parts are in their normal positions illustrated in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, the bed frames 18 and 19, the means 20 and 21 and thehead-rest 22 are entirely concealed. When it is desired to open out theconstruction to the extended position, the cushions 17 may be removedand the end 13 lowered by pulling the lever 41 forwardly to throw overcenter. The bed frames 18 and 19 may then be extended to the positionsvillustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. vDur'ng operation of thebed frames to the extended positions, the support 59 is automaticallymoved to the vertical position where it projects upwardly from the frame18. The head rest 22 may be easily swung to the out position and the arm5f) passed through the slot 63. It is to be noted that the support 59 isvertical when carrying the head rest 22 so that the load is in directalignment with the pin 69 and the support does not have any tendency toturn or collapse. When the end 13 is in the down position the bed frames18 and 19 are readily accessible and the construction provides amplehead room. The head rest 22 adds materially to the length of the bedstructure and permits the application of the folding bed to acomparatively short davenport or sofa. The folding bed constructiondescribed above may be easily embodied in typical sofa or davenportforms with very little modification and does not affect the normaloutward appearance of the structure.

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention, I do notwish to limit myself to the specific details set forth, but wish toreserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to thoseskilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A folding bed including a base, two bed frames, means mounting thebed frames on the base for movement between positions one above theother and positions adjacent one another in the same horizontal plane, ahead-rest, means mounting the head-rest for movement between a positionbetween the bed frames and a position at the ends of the bed frames, anda foldable support on the outermost bed frame automatically projected toa position to be engaged by a part on the head-rest upon extension ofthe bed frames.

2. In a folding bed, a base, an outer bed frame, means mounting theouter bed frame on the base for movement between a position above thebase and a position forward of the base, an inner bed frame normallyspaced under the outer bed frame in the base, means for operating theinner bed frame vertically to a position adjacent the outer bed frame, ahead-rest carried by the inner bed frame operable between a normalsubstantially horizontal 4position above the inner bed frame and aninclined position at an end of the Y assembly of. the two frames, anormally collapsed rest for cooperating yisf-rases 'bed frame verticallyto a position adjacent the outer bed frame, a head-rest carried by theinner frame operable between a position above the inner frame to aposition at an end of the assembly of the two bed frames, and means forsupporting the head-rest on the outer bed frame when in the extendedposition, the last mentioned means including, a support on theV outerbed frame normally substantially horizontal, means for auto matioallyoperating the support to a vertical'position upon operation of the outerbed frame to the extended position, and an arm on the head- With thesupport. WILLIAM A. MOELLER.

t iso

